Boosting Tourism in Mumbai Costal Region: a Sustainable Strategy
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Episteme: an online interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary & multi-cultural journal Bharat College of Arts and Commerce, Badlapur, MMR, India Volume 5, Issue 2 September 2016 BOOSTING TOURISM IN MUMBAI COSTAL REGION: A SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY By Vinita Pimpale Abstract Coastal tourism and recreation are important parts of the largest and most rapidly growing activity in the world--- international tourism. Tourism and recreation-related development is one of the major factors shaping development patterns in the coastal zones of India. Hence, any analysis of India’s interests in coasts and oceans must take account of its interrelated activities. Government at all levels must assume appropriate proactive roles to shape and guide coastal tourism development. This paper reviews the importance of coastal tourism and recreation to India and its citizens and identifies gaps where action is needed. Keywords: Costal tourism, recreation, tourist sites BCAC-ISSN-2278-8794 92 Episteme: an online interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary & multi-cultural journal Bharat College of Arts and Commerce, Badlapur, MMR, India Volume 5, Issue 2 September 2016 Introduction In this paper, the term "coastal tourism and recreation" embraces the full range of tourism, leisure, and recreationally oriented activities that take place in the coastal zone and the offshore coastal waters. These include coastal tourism development (hotels, resorts, restaurants, food industry, vacation homes, second homes, etc.), and the infrastructure supporting coastal development (retail businesses, marinas, fishing tackle stores, dive shops, fishing piers, recreational boating harbors, beaches, recreational fishing facilities, and the like). Also included is ecotourism and recreational activities such as recreational boating, cruises, swimming, recreational fishing, snorkeling and diving. Coastal tourism and recreation in this paper likewise includes the public and private programs affecting all the aforementioned activities. Of all the activities that take place in coastal zones and the near-shore coastal ocean, none is increasing in both volume and diversity more than coastal tourism and recreation. Both the dynamic nature of this sector and its magnitude demand that it be actively taken into account in government plans, policies, and programs related to the coasts and ocean. Indeed, virtually all coastal and ocean issue areas affect coastal tourism and recreation either directly or indirectly. Clean water, healthy coastal habitats, and a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment are clearly fundamental to successful coastal tourism. Similarly, bountiful living marine resources (fish, shellfish, wetlands, coral reefs, etc.) are of critical importance to most recreational experiences. Security from risks associated with natural coastal hazards such as storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, and the like is a requisite for coastal tourism to be sustainable over the long term. However, attractive coastal amenities exist in many foreign locations as well. Tour groups have choices that include Australia’s Gold Coast or Fiji’s very attractive beaches in addition to those found in Hawaii. Coastal tourism is becoming a highly competitive business as nations actively seek to draw increased numbers of visitors (and increased foreign earnings) to their shores. Moreover, given today’s rapid pace of communications, the existence of poor water quality or degraded or eroding beaches is quickly communicated among networks of travel agents and others in the tourism marketing business. BCAC-ISSN-2278-8794 93 Episteme: an online interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary & multi-cultural journal Bharat College of Arts and Commerce, Badlapur, MMR, India Volume 5, Issue 2 September 2016 The nation’s coasts and coastal waters are of great value to countries both for their personal enjoyment and for the economic benefits these areas generate for coastal communities, coastal states, and for the nation as a whole¾ benefits that can be sustainable indefinitely with proper foresight and enlightened public policies. But, these benefits cannot be taken for granted. Coastal habitats and the resources they support must be protected and, where necessary, restored. The quality of coastal waters must be maintained at a sufficiently high level to provide a healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment for water-based recreation. Similarly, swimming beaches must be maintained at an attractive and functional level even in the presence of accelerating sea- level rise and associated erosion, and possible increases in the frequency of coastal storms. The maintenance of safe conditions for recreational boating and underwater recreation (e.g., adequately marked waterways, timely weather information, rescue services, hyperbaric chambers, etc.) is also of great importance. Organization of the paper Following a review of the importance of coastal tourism and recreation to Indian economy, including the contribution of foreign coastal tourism, a description of the existing policy framework affecting coastal tourism and recreation is provided. This covers such topics as: governmental promotional efforts regarding tourism; coastal planning and management (especially for setting of tourism facilities and provision for public access); efforts at attaining clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems; beach restoration programs; management of coastal security (including natural hazards and marine safety); and Special management challenges posed by ecotourism activities. A discussion of the adequacy of the existing management framework in each of these areas is provided. Existing tools, programs, and arrangements for achieving sustainable coastal tourism are addressed, with emphasis on relevant developments on sustainable tourism at the BCAC-ISSN-2278-8794 94 Episteme: an online interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary & multi-cultural journal Bharat College of Arts and Commerce, Badlapur, MMR, India Volume 5, Issue 2 September 2016 international level. The final section of this paper presents options for consideration regarding the areas covered, and opportunities for cooperative action with coastal states and communities, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations. Along with the rest of India, Mumbai, its commercial capital, has witnessed an economic boom since the liberalization of 1991, the finance boom in the mid-nineties and the IT, export, services and BPO boom in this decade. The middle class in Mumbai is the segment most impacted by this boom and is the driver behind the consequent consumer boom. Upward mobility among Mumbaikars has led to a direct increase in consumer spending. Purchasing power has grown proportionately. This growth is most apparent in the city’s real estate growth as well as a rapid growth in retailing and lifestyle expenditure among its citizens. Over the past few years, the city has seen large retailing organizations set up shop, aiming to grab a chunk of the growing share of disposable incomes among the middle class. Groups like Lifestyle, Pyramids, Shoppers’ Stop, Trent and Big Bazaar have established chain stores across the city. International fashion labels such as Gucci and Armani are planning to set up retail stores in Mumbai. The city would have over 60 malls across the downtown and suburbs, all ready to tap into the vast suburban middle class. The entire stretch from Sindhudurga to Ratnagiri has the threat of Tourism development while Thane, Tarapur and Dahanu are polluted with the industrial development. Increasing urbanization threat the coastal stretches from Bombay, Thane to Raigarh (Ali Bagh) The threat of aquafarms are mainly at Karakuran and Davidare taluks of Palghar districts in Maharashtra. The possible destination in and around Mumbai: These are a few possible destinations around Mumbai where in our project concept can be exclusively applied and created A. Marve, Manori, Gorai North of Mumbai, and away from its busting crowds and pollution, are these three gems that have become popular havens for Mumbai's beleaguered fun lovers. Marve, the closest and the quietest are a lovely little fishing village. It has some beautiful bungalows owned by Mumbai's elite for weekend gateways. BCAC-ISSN-2278-8794 95 Episteme: an online interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary & multi-cultural journal Bharat College of Arts and Commerce, Badlapur, MMR, India Volume 5, Issue 2 September 2016 Low hills along the beach offer you extraordinary views of sunrise and sunset. Gorai and Manori, a little further away, are more crowded with revellers and are famous for all night beach parties. A fifteen-minute ferry ride from Marve or Borivali takes a person to Gorai and Manori. B. Dahanu Bordi Dahanu, a quite seaside town with a sprawling, uncluttered beach, is situated in Thane district. The Dahanu-Bordi stretch is 17 kms. This once-barren land thrived under Irani settlers, an earthy people. Dahanu is lined with fruit orchards and is famous for its chickoos. Accessible from Dahanu is Udwada - the 'Mecca of the Zoroastrians' - with a large, beautiful temple which houses their sacred fire. C. Bassein Bassein used to be a place for ship-building in the beginning of the seventeenth century. It was here that the Marathas besieged the Portuguese in 1739. The ruins of the Portuguese Fort still stand almost hidden by brushwood and palm groves. About 10 kms. Many Buddhist relics were discovered here. Nalasopara is believed to have been Gautama Buddha's birthplace in a previous life. To the north of Nalasopara is the Agar